Get Organized For Wedding Planning!
|
You've had friends to your home for dinner. Maybe you've hosted a Super Bowl party or two. But have you ever planned and coordinated an event for 50-300 guests?
If you haven't, then welcome to the world of wedding planning.
Caterers, florists, and other wedding-related companies will be banging down your door to get your business. Friends and relatives will offer advice, phone numbers, and web sites for you to check out. How will you juggle the multitudes of research and information from those who want your day to be special? The key to smooth and stress-reducing wedding planning is...
Being Organized
Being organized is the art of having the things you need when you need them whether it is a brochure, a phone number, or a picture of your ultimate bridal bouquet. And no one recognizes the need to be organized more than someone who is planning a wedding. A few organizing techniques you can use to help you plan your wedding are the consistent use of a calendar/PDA and making 'to-do lists.' But what about all of those wedding-related papers you've accumulated? Estimates from caterers, song sheets from bands, and all of those pictures you tore out of magazines--how are you supposed to keep them all organized?
The Wedding Binder
The top tool for organized wedding planning is a 'Wedding Binder.' Besides your future spouse, your 'Wedding Binder' will be the closest thing to a best friend you'll have during your engagement period. The wedding binder is essentially a 'home' for all wedding-related information. Each topic will have a specific area in the binder allowing for quick referencing and retrieval.
How should you build your wedding binder to work best for you?
The size of your wedding and how many 'extras' you incorporate into your wedding day (ex. ice sculptures, doves) will determine the size of your binder. If you are having a small, simple gathering or you're not doing much research, you may not need more than a 1" spine. Large gatherings with many 'extras' will probably require a binder with upwards of a 3" spine.
Besides the binder itself, you will need:
- three hole punched, two-sided pocket folders
- extra wide dividers or self adhesive divider tabs for the pocket folders
- three hole punched, zippered pocket for pen/pencils/paper clips (optional)
One, two-sided pocket folder is usually enough room for the paperwork of one vendor. One side of the pocket folder is for ideas and research and the other side is for estimates and contracts. Keeping these different types of information separate will allow you to locate them and retrieve at a moment's notice.
Examples of some categories for your pocket folders are...
- Catering
- Photography
- Bridal Gown
- Transportation
- Ceremony/Officiant(s)
- Honeymoon
Assemble the pocket folders in order of importance to you. If you are constantly making calls to your caterer, place that folder towards the front of the binder. Already know what favors you want to give out? Place that folder towards the back.
What other information can be stored in your wedding binder?
- Guest lists/gift lists
- E-mail/phone list of bridal party members
- Seating charts
- A print-out of your registry
Benefits to using a wedding binder
- Money-saving benefit: You're always prepared when a vendor wants to talk about price. If someone quotes you a price in writing and you can't produce the paper it's written on, they could try to charge you more money for their services.
- Time-saving benefit: Since all of your information has a 'home,' you won't be wasting your time printing duplicate information off the internet or repeatedly asking for the addresses of your guests.
- Sanity-saving benefit: All of your wedding information is in one place. No need to take apart your living room looking for what you need.
Tips for keeping an organized wedding binder:
- Label the pocket folders clearly
- Place new papers/information in the correct pocket of your binder as soon as you receive them.
- Sort and purge your binder once a month. Toss any information that is no longer relevant in the trash or in a folder for a friend or relative who may need it in the future.
Always bring your wedding binder with you when meeting with your vendors. You'll have all the information you need to compare prices and make educated decisions. You will be organized, prepared and in control of your special day.
About The Author
Stacey Agin Murray, professional organizer and owner of Organized Artistry, LLC, transforms mess into masterpiece with patience, organizing know-how, and a sense of humor. For a free e-list of 'Top Ten Tips for Organized Living,' or to order your copy of '7 Steps to an Organized Wedding Thank You Note' visit http://www.organizedartistry.com.
|
|
|
How To Have A Sizzler Of A Honeymoon! Article No. 3
Remember the frenzy of the paparazzi when they caught Sarah Ferguson, the Duchess of York, having her toe sucke...(related: Marriage Wedding)
Marriage Counseling: What Do Wives Really Want In A Husband? Part Two
In Part One, we looked at what wives really want in a husband and we identified two things in particular. Wives want a soulmate who they feel deeply connected to and they want emotional support and emotional intimacy. This means that they want a husband who will talk about his feelings and who values having an emotional connection.So what's a husband who has neglected this important area of marriage to do? The first thing is to understand the necessity of emotional...(related: Marriage Wedding)
Do-it-yourself Wedding Invitation Guide
Think creatively and add a personal touch to your special event with do-it-yourself wedding invitations. When your friends inquire about the invitation designer, you can proudly say you did them yourself, just don't tell them it was easy.With the availability of home computers and the ease of downloading templates, fonts, and special wedding clipart, the budgeting couple has everything needed to complete the do-it-yourself wedding invitations project. What's not accessible online is easily found in stationery and art supply stores.Se...(related: Marriage Wedding)
Understanding Sexuality In Marriage
Your physiological and psychological expressions of sexual behavior during the age periods of infancy, adolescence, adulthood and post climacteric state defines sexuality. It involves individual pleasure and satisfaction and includes individual inclination for their sexual preference.Many people restrict themselves from talking about sexuality. Some are shy others are reluctant to open up. And often this narrow approach towards sexuality ruins a good marriage. Let's see the importance of understanding sexuality.Sexuality and Marriage Sexuality goes hand in hand with marriage. Both partners look forward ...(related: Marriage Wedding)
Loose Moissanite Stones, A Great Way To Buy Your Moissanite Jewelry
Moissanite is fast becoming the new diamonds. The newest jewelry stone on the market, moissanite is fashionable. Moissanite stones are manufactured to exacting standards, and so produce fine quality jewelry. And loose moissanite stones, being cheaper, can offer a choice of much larger stone sizes than diamonds.Just witness the number of "stars" who have been seen recently wearing stunning moissanite jewelry. Moissanite jewelry is the new jewelry for the discriminating buyer.Not only does moissanite look as good as diamonds, it's much cheaper.However before you decide to rush out and buy some moissanite jewelry, think about the range of options availa...(related: Marriage Wedding)
A Wedding Shower Invitation Should Be Attractive And Stylish!
Wedding shower invitations should lay out all of the necessary information, yet still be attractive. One way to do this is to have a picture engraved on the invitation. Ask your engraver to add a small design on the inside of your invitation or wherever you have information about the reception. If, for example, an ice cream social is your theme see if there is an ice cream cone or Sundae dish they can emboss onto the paper without taking away from the main body of the invitation. Remember that subtlety is stylish; you don't want to come across as overpowering with your theme.It may be difficult sometimes to know who to invite to the wedding shower. As a g...(related: Marriage Wedding)
How To Make Your Wedding Vows Something You?ll Remember Forever
If you're going the increasingly popular route of personalizing your own wedding vows, you're probably looking for some tips to make your vows as special, meaningful, and eloquent as you can. This is something that will take time beforehand so that you can prepare yourself and become completely comfortable with what you're saying. Remember, you're not just saying pretty ...(related: Marriage Wedding)
How To Have A Dream Wedding On A Budget
No one wants to pay more than they have to for anything, especially something as costly as a wedding. And if you're like me, and you had to foot your own bill, then you certainly want to keep costs down. I was afraid it couldn't be done, especially since my husband and I live in one of the most expensive regions of the country. But my wedding is proof that it can be done, and here's how:Reception VenueLook for non-profit organizations that host wedding r...(related: Marriage Wedding)
Wedding Anniversary Symbols
Most people are aware that significant wedding anniversaries such as 25th and 40th are linked to precious stones, in these cases silver and ruby. However, it is less well known that all anniversaries up to and including the 15th, and then every 5th anniversary, have their own particular symbol. The list below shows the symbol traditionally associated with each anniversary....(related: Marriage Wedding)
Basic Tips For Planning A Wedding
Planning a wedding should be fun and exciting. However, if you don't do the proper research and stay within your budget things can go bad in a hurry. What you need is to keep things well organized and simple. Here are some tips to help make sure your weeding plans go smoothly.1. The first thing you should decide is how big and complex you want your wedding to be. Do you want a small wedding? Or would you rather have a big wedding? You need to make sure both you and your partner are on the same page and agree on things. Prepare to make some compromises.2. Decide on a good theme for your wedding. This includes how people will dress, food,...(related: Marriage Wedding)
Wedding Cake Design Through History
The design of the traditional wedding cake has varied greatly over time. Once a sign of fertility, the wedding cake of the Roman Empire was made of wheat or Barley. The small cake was then broken over the bride's head, celebrating her fertility.The design of the wedding cake changed and it became a tradition to pile several small cakes on top of each other. The bride and groom then tried kiss over the top of the cakes without knocking them down. A successful kiss was a good omen, bringing a lifetime of prosperity to the new couple.The current traditional design of wedding cakes first appeared in the 1660's. A French Chef visiting London attended a cake piling ceremony. He was shocked at the way the cakes were stacked on top of each other, and how often they fell over, so he crea...(related: Marriage Wedding)
How To Make Your Wedding Vows Something You?ll Remember Forever
If you're going the increasingly popular route of personalizing your own wedding vows, you're probably looking for some tips to make your vows as special, meaningful, and eloquent as you can. This is something that will take time beforehand so that you can prepare yourself and become completely comfortable with what you're saying. Remember, you're not just saying pretty ...(related: Marriage Wedding)
Bridal Shower Games?the Good, The Bad And The Overdone
Games can make or break a shower. The best can break the ice and liven up the party. The worst can embarrass and bore. So, how can you avoid this?First, a little research...First, list the showers you've been to and the games you remember. Which did you like and dislike? Ask a few other gals to do the same. Don't ask the bride because the games should be a surprise. Now, compare the games. Which games were played the most? Chances are everyone has played these games and are pretty sick of them. ...(related: Marriage Wedding)
site-map - Copyright © 2006 | Contact Webmaster | Weddings & Honeymoons | All Rights Reserved. | Marriage Wedding